Mobile loader



June 21, 1966 J. L. RILEY MOBILE LOADER Filed Sept. 14, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 1 IIHIH.

INVENTOR. Jose-Av L E/L 5V ATTORNEYS J. L. RILEY MOBILE LOADER June 21,1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. 14, 1964 INVENTOR. JOSEPH A. 2/4 6) WAZ-W,z%

/ ATTORNEYS 3,257,014 MOBILE LOADER Joseph L. Riley, Milwaultie, Oreg.,assignor of thirtythree and one-third percent each to A. G. Sturdivantand Roger C. Sullivan, both of Chicago, Ill.

Filed Sept. 14, 1964, Ser. No. 396,184 3 Claims. (Cl. 214-140) Thisinvention relates to improvements in mobile loaders and moreparticularly relates to an improved form of loader adapted forgathering, lifting, transporting and loading heavy articles.

. United States Patent for picking up and lifting heavy articles fromthe ground Still another object of the invention is to provide a noveland improved loader particularly adapted for picking up, lifting andtransporting heavy articles, so arranged as to give the lifting device arelatively long forward reach beyond the forward end of the supportingmain frame for the loader by mounting the lifting device on atransversely pivoted boom and by mounting the boom for movement by poweralong the main frame of the loader.

Another and important object of the invention is to provide a morestableform of loader for loading bulky and heavy articles, such as logs,ingots, slabs and the like, of a simpler and more compact constructionthan former loaders, in which stability is attained by mounting the boomfor rectilinear movement back and forth with respect to the main framefor the loader.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved formof loader having a tiltable load lifting device transversely pivoted tothe end of the boom and a carriage mounted on the main frame of theloader for rectilinear movement therealong, and forming a transversepivotal support for the boom, together with elevat ing means for theboom, elevating the boom into its various positions along the frame forthe loader, and accommodating the boom to be moved along the frame forthe loader, to retract or give the lifting device a forward reach topick up and elevate a load or to position the load for unloading,without affecting the efficiency of lifting or longitudinal positioningof the boom.

These and other objects of the invention will appear from time to timeas the following specification proceeds and with reference to theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a loader constructed in accordancewith the principles of the present invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a view in side elevation of the loader shown in FIGURE 1with certain parts removed in order to show certain details of theloader not shown in FIG- URE 1.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, I haveshown a loader 10 having a main frame 11 supported on front wheels 12,which may be drive wheels and may be driven from a suitable motor in aconventional manner. The main frame 11 is also shown as being supportedon rear steering wheels 13, which "ice may be turned for steering by aconventional form. of

power steering unit, which is no part of thepresent invgntion', so neednot herein be shown or described furt er.

The main frame 11 comprises spaced side frame members 15, 15 extendingpartially over the front wheels 12 and forming fenders therefor, andhaving undersurfaces 16 spaced from, and generally conforming to thesteering Wheels 13, to accommodate steering movement thereof. The sideframe members 15 have plain top surfaces 17 having spacer rails 19extending therealong from the central to rear end portion of said mainframe. The spacer rails 19 have inclined forward surfaces 20 inclinedupwardly from the forward end portion thereof toward the rear endportion thereof, and forming supports for channeled guide tracks 21extending along said inclined surfaces, for the length thereof.

An operators compartment or cab 22 is shown in FIG- URE 1 as beingmounted on the top surface of one side frame member 15 to one side of aboom 23 and lifting jacks 41 for said boom. The cab may be pivotallymounted on said surface to face in the direction shown during a loadingoperation, and may be turned outwardly of said boom 23 180 to face in anoppositedirection during travel of the loader from place to place. Thecab 22 may also be positioned at right angles to its supporting sideframe member 15. The cab and positioning means therefor is no part ofthe present invention so need not herein be shown or described further.

It should here be understood that the machine is generally symmetricalabout the longitudinal center thereof,

particularly as to the support and operating structure for the boom 23and a load pick up and lifting device 25 pivotally mounted thereon.

The load pick up and lifting device is herein shown as being a forkframe, although it may be in the form of a scoop or dipper bucket, agripper type of lifting device, for lifting logs and the like, or ofvarious other conventional forms.

Since the machine is generally symmetrical along the longitudinal axisof the main frame 11 and the support and operating structure for theboom 23 and lifting device 25 is the same on one side of the machine asthe other, one side only of the machine need herein be shown anddescribed.

The channeled guide tracks 21 are shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 as havingtheir flanges facing outwardly and as forming a support and guide for acarriage 26 mounted thereon for movement therealong. The carriage 26 hasparallel outer legs 27 extending downwardly along the outer sides of theguide tracks 21 and connected together by a bridge 29 extending acrossthe spaced guide tracks 21 and slidably extending along the top faces ofthe flanges of said channeled guide tracks 21. A pair of parallel spacedrollers 23 is suitably mounted on the inside of each leg 27, forengagement with the top flanges of the channeled guides 21, to retainthe carriage thereto.

It should there be understood that while I have shown rollers forretaining the carriage to the channeled guide tracks, that rollers neednot necessarily be used, but bearing blocks (not shown) or any othersuitable form of retaining means may be used in place of the rollers.

A pair of spaced bifurcated connectors 30 extends upwardly of each leg27, intermediate the ends thereof. Each pair of connectors 30 has an arm31 of the boom 23 extending between the furcations'thereof and pivotallyconnected thereto, as by pivotal pins 32, 32. A fluid pressure operatedjack 33 is herein shown as being provided to retain the carriage 26 inposition along the channeled guide tracks 21 and to move said carriagealong said guide tracks to position the .lifting device forwardly orrearwardly of the main frame 11, and to give said lifting device aforward thrusting action to pick up articles from the ground. As shownin FIGURE 2, the hydraulic jack 33 has a connector ear 35 extendingforwardly therefrom between spaced connector ears 36 extending upwardlyof the top surfaces of the side frame members 15, along opposite sidesof the longitudinal axis of the machine. A pivot pin 37 is provided topivotally connect said jack between said connector ears 36. The oppositeend of the jack 33, which may be a piston rod 39, is pivotally connectedto the carriage 26 at the longitudinal center thereof on a pivot pin 46.

The boom 23 is raised and lowered by means of a pair of laterally spacedhydraulic jacks 41 extending along the insides of the side frame members15 and having connector ears 43 depending therefrom, pivotally connectedto the main frame 11 adjacent the bottom thereof, as by pivot pins 44.The opposite ends of the hydraulic jacks 41 are shown as being pistonrods 45 having connectors 46 extending upwardly of the upper ends ofsaid piston rods within hollow portions 47 of the boom 23, and pivotallyconnected to said boom as by transverse pivot pins 49. The jacks 41 maythus elevate and lower the boom and support the boom to be extended andretracted with respect to the main frame 11 by movement of the carriagealong the channeled guide track 21, and when so supporting the boom maymove about the axes of'the pivot pins 44, with the pivot pins 49 movingalong a relatively large radius arc A during backward and forwardmovement of the boom. This enables the carriage 26 to raise and lowerthe forward end of the boom a distance greater than the travel of thejacks 41, when the jacks 41 are supporting the boom in their extendedpositions, by movement of the carriage downwardly along the channeledguide track 21,.toward the forward end of the machine.

The lifting device 25 is herein shown as including parallel spaceduprights 50 extending upwardly of a base 51 and having a plurality ofparallel spaced tines or fingers 53 mounted thereon in a conventionalmanner, and extending forwardly therefrom. The uprights 50 haverearwardly opening hollow portions 55 therein, into which extendfurcations 56 of the bifurcated forward end portion of the boom 23.Transverse pivot pins 57 are provided to pivotally connect thefurcations 56 to the uprights 50.

The uprights 50 are suitably connected together adjacent their upper endportions and are shown in FIGURE 1 as having a plate 59 extendingthereacross, having a bifurcated connecter 60 extending rearwardlytherefrom and spaced a substantial distance above the pivot pins 57. Theconnector 60, as shown in FIGURES 1 and 2 has a piston rod 61 of ahydraulic jack 63 extending therebetween and pivotally connected theretoas by a transverse pivot pin 65. The opposite end of the hydraulic jack63 extends along the boom 23 rearwardly of the points of connection ofthe jacks 41 thereto and has an ear 66 extending rearwardly therefrom,connected between spaced connectors 67 on a transverse pivot pin 69. Theconnectors 67 are shown in FIGURE 2 as extending forwardly of atransverse wall 70 of the boom 23.

Since the boom 23 is within the margins of the side frame members 15,the lifting device 25 may be lowered beneath the level of engagement ofthe wheels 12 and 13 with the ground, and may be tilted back and forthin its lowered positions or in any of its elevated positions byoperation of the hydraulic jack 63..

The loading device may be advanced into the material to be picked up bymovement of the machine along the ground propelled by the drive wheels12, or by movement of the carriage 26 along the guide rails 21 byoperation of the hydraulic jack 33 depending upon the weight and type ofload to be picked up. When the loading device 15 is on the ground orbelow the normal ground lever, or in any of its elevated positions, itmay be given a forward thrust-by the supply of fluid under pressure tothe piston rod end of the hydraulic jack 33, moving the carriage 26forwardly along the guide track 21 and during this forward thrust, thehydraulic jacks 41 will be pivotally moved about the axes of the pivotpins 44 and support the pivot pins 49 and boom 23 for movement with thecarriage 26 about a relatively shallow arc, in all positions ofadjustment of the boom 23 with respect to the main frame 11.

The lifting device may readily pick up articles from below the normalground level along which the wheels 12 and 13 ride and when picking upheavy loads, such as hot ingots, may be retracted to be positioned overthe front drive wheels 12, as in the broken line position B in FIGURE 2,thereby enabling the loader to lift far heavier loads than possiblewhere the lifting device overhangs the front of the main frame 11 in allpositions of elevation of the lifting device, with the tendency for theload carried by the lifting device to rock the main frame about thefront wheel axles.

Also when the lifting device is in position B, shown in FIG. 2, and thehydraulic jacks 41 are fully extended, the lifting device may readily beelevated to position C, by the admission of fluid under pressure to thepiston rod end of the jack 33, to move the carriage along the guidetrack 21 in a forward direction. This enables the load to be kept awayfrom the operators cab, particularly when loading hot material, andbesides increasing the height to which the load may be elevated, is anadded safety feature of the machine.

While I have herein shown and described one form in which the inventionmay be embodied, it may readily be understood that various modificationsand variations in the invention may be attained without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the novel concepts thereof.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a mobile loader,

a wheel mounted self-propelledw main frame including a pair of parallelspaced side frame members having an upwardly inclined track extendingtherealong from the central to rear end portions of said side framemembers,

a carriage mounted for movement along said track and retained fromtilting movement with respect thereto,

a boom supported at its rear end on said carriage and transverselypivoted thereto and extending along said main frame to apositionadjacent the forward end thereof,

said boom being disposed within the inner margins of said side framemembers for lowering movement therebetween,

a load lifting device transversely pivoted to the forward end portion ofsaid boom and extending in advance thereof,

a fluid pressure operated jack pivotally connected between said boom andload lifting device for tilting said load lifting device with respect tosaid boom and maintaining said loading lifting device in variousselected positions with respect to said boom,

a longitudinally extending fluid pressure operated jack transverselypivoted between said main frame and carriage for moving said carriageand boom along said track by power and holding said carriage in positionon said track, and

a third fluid pressure operated jack transversely pivoted to said mainframe adjacent the lower end thereof and having transverse pivotalconnection with said boom intermediate the ends thereof and pivotingabout its axis of connection to said main frame upon movement of saidcarriage along said track, and supporting said boom for movement about arelatively shallow arc, and also reacting against said boom to effectlifting of said lifting device to an elevation beyond the extremelifting position of said hydraulic jack, upon movement of said carriagealong i said track from the rear to the forward end portion of saidtrack.

2. A mobile loader comprising,

a Wheel mounted main frame'including a pair of parallel spaced connectedside frame members,

a boom of lesser width than the space between said side frame membersand extending along said main frame between said side frame members, andhaving a forward end portion movable downwardly between said side framemembers,

a load lifting device adapted to be supported in advance of said mainframe,

a transverse pivot pin pivotally connecting said boom to said loadlifting device,

a fluid pressure operated hydraulic jack extending along said boom,

a transverse pivot pin pivotally connecting said jack to said boomadjacent the rear end thereof,

another transverse pivot pin pivotally connecting said jack to said loadlifting device,

pivotal support means for said boom including parallel spaced inclinedtracks extending along each side frame member, from a position adjacentthe central portion of said main frame to a position adjacent the rearend thereof and inclined upwardly with respect to said main frame assaid tracksextend therealong,

a carriage extending along the outer sides of said tracks and guided formovement therealong,

a transverse pivotal supporting connection between the rear end portionof said boom and said carriage and movable elevating and support meansfor said boom supporting said boom for movement along said main frameand elevating and lowering said boom with respect to said main framecomprising:

a pair of laterally spaced fluid pressure operated jacks transverselypivoted to said main frame adjacent the lower end thereof for rockingmovement with respect thereto, and

pivot pins connecting the opposite ends of said hydraulic jackstto saidboom and supporting said boom for movement about a relatively flat arcupon movement of said carriage along said track and reacting againstsaid boom to efiect elevation thereof upo'n movement of said carriagealong said tracks from the rear to the forward ends thereof.

3. A mobile loader in accordance with claim 2 wherein the tracks are inthe form of outwardly opening channels and are inclined downwardly fromthe rear toward the center of said main frame to give said boom and loadlifting device a forward thrust and to effect elevation thereof, whensaid hydraulic jacks supporting said boom are held from extensiblemovement, as said carriage moves from the rear to the front of said mainframe, wherein said carriage extends downwardly along said outwardlyopening channels and is supported thereon for movement therealong,and.wherein retaining means are provided on the inner sides of saidcarriage and engage between the flanges of said channels to retain saidcarriage from tilting movement with respect to said main frame.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,650,255 11/1927Bonnister 2l4134 2,741,378 4/1956 Wagner 214- 2,887,236 5/ 1959 Mindrum214140 3,155,251 11/1964 Williamson 214140 HUGO O. SCHULZ, PrimaryExaminer.

1. IN A MOBILE LOADER, A WHEEL MOUNTED SELF-PROPELLED MAIN FRAME INCLUDING A PAIR OF PARALLEL SPACED SIDE FRAME MEMBERS HAVING AN UPWARDLY INCLINED TRACK EXTENDING THEREALONG FROM THE CENTRAL TO REAR END PORTIONS OF SAID SIDE FRAME MEMBERS, A CARRIAGE MOUNTED FOR MOVEMENT ALONG SAID TRACK AND RETAINED FROM TILTING MOVEMENT WITH RESPECT THERETO, A BOOM SUPPORTED AT ITS REAR END ON SAID CARRIAGE AND TRANSVERSELY PIVOTED THERETO AND EXTENDING ALONG SAID MAIN FRAME TO A POSITION ADJACENT THE FORWARD END THEREOF, SAID BOOM BEING DISPOSED WITHIN THE INNER MARGINS OF SAID SIDE FRAME MEMBERS FOR LOWERING MOVEMENT THEREBETWEEN. A LOAD LIFTING DEVICE TRANSVERSELY PIVOTED TO THE FORWARD END PORTION OF SAID BOOM AND EXTENDING IN ADVANCE THEREOF, A FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED JACK PIVOTALLY CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID BOOM AND LOAD LIFTING DEVICE FOR TILTING SAID LOAD LIFTING DEVICE WITH RESPECT TO SAID BOOM AND MAINTAINING SAID LOADING LIFTING DEVICE IN VARIOUS SELECTED POSITION WITH RESPECT TO SAID BOOM, A LONGITUDINALLY EXTENDING FLUID PRESSURE OPERATED JACK TRANSVERSELY PIVOTED BETWEEN SAID MAIN FRAME AND CARRIAGE FOR MOVING SAID CARRIAGE AND BOOM ALONG 